Ansel Adams is one of the great photography masters, known for his iconic black and white images of the American West. Let’s follow this lead and consider how we might apply his visual insights to my modern day apartment and office design. In an attempt to bring a sense of sophistication and refined elegance, I selected his black and white color palette because it seemed easy to work with and offered plenty of advantages with my limited budget.

One of the most important things Ansel Adams left with us was his principle of pre-visualization. The obvious contrast between the two colors helps highlight specific architectural features and decor additions with ease. While other color schemes come and go with changing seasons and interior design trends, black and white offers a safe alternative that stays relevant even decades down the line.

Using Ansel’s pre-visualization method in approaching my living room design, I immediately visualized how I could work with the New York Skyline Collection by Kathy Ireland as the core to my black and white palette. This is a complete line of Ready-to-Assemble living and office furniture that delivers fashion, quality, value and safety while fulfilling the needs of working people like me.

Then, I chose the New York Skyline Collection 16-Cube Bookcase Room Divider in Modern Mocha to quietly begin dividing my apartment into both living and working zones, without obstructing the room’ spaciousness. When I added the NYS Three Table set to finish off my sofa area, it all started to come together in a harmonizing contrast of black and white.

While black anchors the living room section of the apartment, I’ve highlighted the prominent architectural elements; the white office furniture lends a sense of airiness and balance to the backdrop. By adding Ansel Adam’s polarizing filter, I was able to see why painting a blue sky with clouds ceiling mural could add more saturated color and create a dark and contrasting sky with my evening lighting, versus the sunlit room that evolves naturally during the day.

Even if you decide you don’t want to master a full-blown minimal style, starting off with a black and white color palette is absolutely perfect for a few cornerstone furniture pieces to begin your decorating. Once you uncover what you need or want to improve upon, these two hues will help keep you focused on your true artistic expressions.

Check back next month when we explore Minimalist Décor Accented with Colors of the Season.

You’re not sure when you actually crossed the line, but last Saturday night’s dinner party stopped you cold in your tracks. Up until then, you had liked your husband’s co-worker’s wife Amanda. She was friendly and quick to help clear the dinner table, but then she was relentless questioning you on how it was it to work from home? Was it hard to separate your work life from your personal life? Where was your office?

And then, her inquisitive nature took over as she reached for the door handle to the spare room, innocently asking “Is this your office?” At that point, it all became a blur. You swiftly jumped in front of the door, resembling a fierce NHL linesman as you checked her frail physique into the living room. Wide-eyed and stunned, you nervously helped her up and stated “I just keep the door closed when I’m not working”. The evening went on without a hitch, but you knew. Deep down inside you were ashamed of your office and the time had come to do something about your problem.

We’ve all made the best of what ‘s available in creating a make-shift office. Once I named it professional “multitasking” as I set-up my laptop on one end of the ping-pong table, with an area for folding laundry on the other. It may have worked in the pre and post college days, but not anymore. There are great home office solutions right under your nose, simply type Bush Furniture into your search window and your days of hiding your office will be over. Without leaving the home page you can scroll down through a few of our top selling home office furniture collections.

Take a quick look and get a feel for your style. If you like sleek and thin with a modern flair, the Aero Collection is as stylish as it is functional, wood framed doors and tasteful embellishments complement home offices, dens, or great rooms.

Whether you make a buying decision based upon craftsmanship and a distinctive look, the Buena Vista Collection brings subtle touches to your home. Accented by aged, bronzed-metal hardware, its smart, contemporary styling stands out in any room of your home.

And in the end, you may be in search for a comfortable fit for your home, the Cabot Collection’s understated elegance and simple styling makes a fashionable statement. Its classic look works beautifully to transform any room, anywhere.

Then, if you’re fully committed to designing a home office that integrates your work-life balance, in addition to accenting your home décor’ take the next step by checking out the Kathy Ireland Collection.

The sky is the limit at Bush Furniture, whether you want your furniture directly shipped to your home, or need a complete delivery and installation service solution. It’s our job to keep you working – comfortably!

Now, you’re well on you way to being confident with your work at home image and environment. Take a look at Bush’s office furniture collections to get a feel for your style. I’ll be back in my next post to tell you more about “Tips To Make You Love Your Office”. And by the way, welcome to the Bush online shopping experience where buying your next home office is fast, easy and affordable.